Rotational lighting system

ABSTRACT

A remotely controlled rotational lighting system for illuminating any chosen area of a room. A first motor is mounted on the ceiling at the approximate center of the area to be illuminated. A main support arm extends from the shaft of the motor and lies in a substantially horizontal plane. A second motor is suspended at one extremity of the main support arm and mates with a fixture support arm. A cluster of lighting elements is mounted at one extremity of the fixture support arm, while a set of counterweights is mounted at the other extremity. The end of the main support arm remote from the fixture support arm is provided with a set of counterweights so that the main support arm is in substantially perfect balance at its point of association with the ceiling-mounted motor.

United States Patent [19] Tovi [ Dec.2, 1975 l l ROTATIONAL LIGHTINGSYSTEM [76] Inventor: Murray Tovi, 585 West End Ave.,

New York, NY. 10024 [22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 496,191

Primary ExaminerRichard L. Moses Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fleit &Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A remotely controlled rotational lighting systemfor illuminating any chosen area of a room. A first motor is mounted onthe ceiling at the approximate center of the area to be illuminated. Amain support arm extends from the shaft of the motor and lies in asubstantially horizontal plane. A second motor is suspended at oneextremity of the main support arm and mates with a fixture support arm.A cluster of lighting elements is mounted at one extremity of thefixture support arm. while a set of counterweights is mounted at theother extremity. The end of the main support arm remote from the fixturesupport arm is provided with a set of counterweights so that the mainsupport arm is in substantially perfect balance at its point ofassociation with the ceiling-mounted motor.

14 Claims. 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 1 of23,924,119

Sheet2of2 3,924,119

U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 FIG. 3

ROTATIONAL LIGHTING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many rooms, itis desirable to have the capability of illuminating discreet areas andcreating different moods at distinct times of the day. Also desirable isthe capability of so reaching all areas of a room with a remotelycontrolled lighting system. There is no known, single-element lightingsystem in the lighting industry which has these capabilities.

In Swiss Pat. No. 64,577, there is disclosed a lighting elementcomprised of two movable arms. Each arm is counterbalanced and isadapted to pivot about a horizontal axis. Though such a lighting elementis capable of being mounted on a ceiling and pivoted from one positionto another, it fails to satisfy the needs noted above.

Another lighting array is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,751,654. Thispatent discloses a lighting array adapted for mounting on a ceiling andoperable in a substantially horizontal plane. Furthermore, this array iscapable of illuminating a relatively large area of a room. However, sucha lighting array serves more as a sculpture than a useful lightingelement; it is adapted to be moved by air currents, rather than bymotors. In addition, such a lighting array lacks the capacity ofilluminating all areas of a room.

The present invention is directed toward the design of a remotelycontrolled, reliable and efficient, horizontally rotable lighting arraywhich is capable of illuminating substantially every area of a givenroom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a remotelycontrolled lighting array which is designed for use in a substantiallyhorizontal plane. The array comprises a lighting element mounted at oneend of an elongated support member which, in turn, is suspended inperfect balance on another elongated support member. The latter supportmember is itself mounted in perfect balance, by counterweights, on theshaft of a ceilingmounted motor. The two elongated supporting membersare connected to one another by another motor. Each of the motors isremotely controlled at a central control panel on a wall or otherconvenient location to the operator.

The reliability and efficiency of the inventive lighting system isensured by the perfect balance developed at the rotating shafts of therespective motors. As a result of this perfect balance, strain on themotors is minimized, as is the energy required to develop rotation ofthe lighting array. To further ensure minimum stress on the respectivemotors, the elongated support arms are joined together through astress-relieving connecting element.

The inventive lighting system is designed in such a manner that thedistance between the lighting cluster and its center of rotation issubstantially equal to the distance between the ceiling-mounted motorand the juncture of the two support arms. In this manner, the lightingcluster can be made to hover over any location in the room within acircle having a radius equal to twice the distance between the lightingcluster and its associated motor. The lighting cluster can also hover ata location substantially directly under the ceilingmounted motor.

It is accordingly the main object of the present invention to develop aremotely controlled lighting system which is capable of hovering oversubstantially any area of a given room.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lightingsystem which is mounted for rotation in a substantially horizontalplane, and which is capable of being remotely controlled in a reliableand efficient manner.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide arotationally mounted lighting system which is substantially perfectlybalanced to avoid stress on its operating motors and which can beadjusted in a substantially effortless manner.

These and other objects of the present invention, as well as many of theattendant advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent whenreference is made to the following description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of theinventive lighting system, in its fully extended position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of one mechanism by which a motor is mountedto prevent strain thereon;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a control panel for operating theinventive lighting system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the range and versatilityenjoyed by the inventive lighting system; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, but showing analternate strain relief mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference first to FIG. 1, thebasic configuration of the inventive lighting system will be described.The lighting system is shown generally at 10, mounted on a ceilingdesignated 12. The system 10 is held on the ceiling through a motor 14equipped with a rotational shaft 16 extending therefrom. A mainelongated support arm 18 extends from the motor shaft 16 and lies in asubstantially horizontal plane. In the preferred embodiment, the supportarm 18 is comprised of two sections, arm 20 and arm 22, respectively. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the arm 20 mates with the shaft 16 at a angle,while arm 22 defines an angle of 72 with the shaft 16. The respectiveshafts 20 and 22 are so designed and connected to the shaft of motor 14to enable bending thereof due to the weight of the equipment.

At the end of arm 20 remote from the motor 14 are positioned threecounterweight elements 24. A motor 26 associates with the end of arm 22remote from the motor 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, motor 26 isconnected to the arm 22 through a thin, flexible stainless steel rod 28and a brass sheath 30. Pins 32 and 34 fix the arm 22 and the flexibleconnecting member 28 to the sheath 30.

A rotable motor shaft 36 extends from the motor 26 and serves as a basefor a fixture support arm 38. Like arm 18, support arm 38 is constructedof two elements, namely arms 40 and 42, respectively. A set of threecounterweights 44 is mounted at the end of arm 40 remote from the motor26, while a cluster of lights shown generally at 46 is mounted at theend of arm 42 remote from the motor 26. The lighting cluster 46comprises two lighting elements 48 and 50 extending downwardly towardthe floor of the room, and two lighting elements 52 and 54 extendingupwardly toward the ceiling l2.

A main electrical control line 56 is illustrated as extending above thelevel of ceiling 12 and entering the casing ofmotor14. One set of wires58 couples into the motor 14, which is preferably a small, reversible,hysteresis motor operable at approximately one revolution per minute.The remaining electrical leads are indicated at 60 and extend toward themotor 26 at which location a set of control leads 62 enters the motorcasing. The remaining conductors 64 continue into the lighting cluster46. While each of the lighting elements can be individually controlled,it is contemplated that lighting elements 48 and 50 be operatedtogether, and that lighting elements 52 and 54 also be operated together. i

The main electrical control line 56 is connected to power through acontrol panel indicated generally at 66 in FIG. 3. Control panel 66comprises five control elements. A two-way center-biased toggle switch68 controls the operation of the ceiling-mounted motor 14. In oneposition of the switch 68, indicated in phantom, the motor 14 turns themain support arm 18 in a clockwise direction. In the other position ofswitch 68, also shown in phantom, the motor turns the arm 18 in acounterclockwise direction. The switch 68 is biased into the positionshown in solid lines, at which position the motor 14 is idle. Anindicator lamp shown at 70 becomes active when the motor 14 is beingoperated. A toggle switch 72, identical to switch 68, serves to operatethe motor 26, and associates with an indicator lamp 74 identical to lamp70.

A two-position toggle switch 76 serves as an on-off switch for thelighting elements 48 and 50. A similar switch 78 controls the on-offoperation of lighting elements S2 and 54. Finally, a dimmer control 80serves to vary the intensity of the lighting elements which are active.It should be noted that all of the lighting elements 48 through 54 canbe operated together.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the versatility of the inventive lightingsystem will be described.

In FIG. 4, there is illustrated a long and narrow room, designatedgenerally at 82. Also schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 is the motor14, arm 22, motor 26, arm 42 and the lighting cluster 46. The lightingsystem illustrated in solid lines is in its fully extended position.

As should be evident from FIG. 4, the range of the inventive lightingsystem is defined by a circle 84 having its center at the position ofthe motor 14, and having a radius equal to the combined lengths of arms22 and 42. Since arms 22 and 42 are substantially equal in length, theradius of circle 84 can be thought of as being twice the length ofeither of the arms. It can be seen that circle 84 encompassessubstantially the entire room 82.

Several orientations of the lighting system 18 within circle 84 areillustrated in FIG. 4. For example, as illustrated in phantom anddesignated generally at 86, there is an orientation of the lightingsystem It) in which the lighting cluster 46 lies substantially at thecenter of circle 84. Other possible orientations are shown in phantom.With such a lighting system as that described above, it should beevident that substantially any location of a typical room can beilluminated. The lighting array may be centered for reflectiveillumination off the ceiling, brought over a dinner table, sofa, readingchair, etc. The only constraints are that the length of arm 22 cannotexceed one-half the width of room 82, and, in order that the lightingarray 46 may be positioned as indicated at 86 in FIG. 4, arm 42 shouldbe substantially equal in length to arm 22.

It can be seen in FIG. 4 that when the lighting system 10 is in theposition illustrated generally at 86, the lighting cluster 46 is notprecisely centered beneath motor 114. The reason for this can beunderstood with reference again to FIG. 1. On each of arms 20 and 40, ismounted a pin 88 projecting upwardly in the direction of the associatedmotor 14 or 26. A mating stop 90 is mounted on each of the motors l4 and26, and coacts with the respective pins 88 on arms 20 and 40. In thismanner, the full swing of each support arm 18 and 38 is limited toslightly less than a full 360. Complicated slip rings can therefore beavoided without endangering the integrity of the electrical wiring.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an alternate configuration for theself-leveling motor mount will be described. As illustrated, the motor26 is equipped with a vertically extending support post 89 extendingtherefrom. A vertically extending bore or aperture 91 is placed at theextremity of support arm 22 and serves as a passage in which post 89 ishoused. The inside diameter of aperture 91 is larger than the outsidediameter of post 89, so that post 89 takes a loose fit in its matingpassage 91. The upper portion of post 89 is also apertured, and holds apin 92 which serves as a bearing surface on which the motor 26 and itsassociated mechanisms are carried. The loose fit of the post 89 withinthe aperture 91 enables the motor 26 to freely hang by gravity. Thecounterweights 44 (FIG. l.) are positioned so that the motor shaft 36 issuspended substantially vertically.

A lighting system embodying the features of the present invention hasbeen constructed and operated. Each of the arms 22 and 42 takes the formof a 6 foot solid stainless steel pole. Each of the arms 20 and 40 isconstructed of similar stainless steel, but arm 20 being 4 Va feet inlength and arm 40 being 1 Va feet in length. As noted above, arms 20 and22, 40 and 42 take a small angle relative to their respective matingshafts 16 and 36. In addition, each of the motors l4 and 26 has beenequipped with a safety mechanical clutch to allow relatively freemovement of the motor mechanism in the event that the lighting arraystrikes a wall of the room. The lighting elements 52 and 54 weredesigned as watt incandescent bulbs. with element 48 being an amberspotlight and element 58 being a flood lamp. Also, support arm 18 is ofa larger diameter than support arm 38 since arm 18 must carry a greaterload. In addition, though the specific embodiment of the inventiondescribed above and constructed has been adapted for mounting on theceiling, it should be appreciated that a wall or floor mount unit can beconstructed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

One further aspect of the invention is deemed worthy of specificmention. This feature is directed to the mechanism by which the mainsupport arm 38 is balanced on its associated motor shaft 16. Thebalancing of support arm 38 has already been described when referencewas made to FIGS. 2 and 5.

In the embodiment of the invention which has been constructed andoperated, the motor shaft 16 is trimmed in a limited region along itslength so as to define a region of a relatively small diameter. Thisregion is located intermediate the motor mechanism and the area ofattachment for the support arm 18, and is designed to flex to a limiteddegree. In this manner, imbalance of the arm 118 can be toleratedwithout stressing the motor mechanism. Balance is accomplished by movingthe counterweights 24, until arm 18 is substantially horizontal. Then, asleeve is moved over the small diameter region of the motor shaft and isclamped in place. The sleeve serves to rigidify the motor shaft afterbalancing is completed.

The present invention has been described for purposes of illustration,by way of specific embodiments. It should be appreciated that theinvention is not intended to be so limited, but can be altered andmodified in numerous ways which will become evident to those skilled inthe art. It is therefore the intention that the present invention belimited only as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A horizontal, remotely controlled lighting system in which a sourceof illumination can hover over substantially any given region of an areato be illuminated, the lighting system comprising: a first motor elementadapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the area to be illuminated,said first motor element having a first rotable motor shaft; a firstelongated support arm having first and second ends, said first supportarm being vmounted on said first motor shaft intermediate its first andsecond ends, for rotation with said first motor shaft, and in asubstantially horizontal plane; a second motor element suspended fromthe first end of said first support arm, said second motor elementhaving a second rotatable motor shaft; a second elongated support armhaving first and second ends, said second support arm being mounted onsaid second motor shaft intermediate its first and second ends, forrotation with said second motor shaft, and in a substantially horizontalplane; lighting means mounted at the first end of said second supportshaft; counterweight means mounted at the second end of said secondsupport arm, weighted and positioned so that said second support arm,said counterweight means and said lighting means are in substantialhorizontal balance about said second motor shaft; second counterweightmeans mounted at the second end of said first support arm, weighted andpositioned so that said first support arm, carrying the associatedsecond motor element, second support arm, second counterweight means andlighting means, is in substantial horizontal balance about said firstmotor shaft; and control means for independently controlling theoperation of said first and second motor elements and thereby therespective rotatable motor shafts, and said lighting means; and whereinthe distance between the first end of said first support arm and thefirst motor shaft is substantially equal to the distance between thefirst end of said second support arm and said second motor shaft.

2. The lighting system recited in claim 1, and further comprising: aflexible support element intermediate said second motor element and thefirst end of said first support arm, for suspending said second motorshaft in a substantially vertical orientation.

3. The lighting system recited in claim 1, and further comprising: avertical post rigidly extending upwardly from said second motor element;an aperture in the first end of said first support arm through whichsaid vertical post extends; a pin for maintaining said vertical post insaid aperture; and wherein the outside diameter of said vertical post isless than the inside diameter of said aperture.

4. The lighting system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first andsaid second motor elements are equipped with clutch means for enablingthe respective motor mechanisms to continue operation should therespective motor shafts become immobilized.

5. The lighting system recited in claim 1, wherein said first supportarm is comprised of two sections extending substantially in a straightline from opposite sides of said first motor shaft; and wherein saidsecond support arm is comprised of two sections extending substantiallyin a straight line from opposite sides of said second motor shaft.

6. The lighting system recited in claim 5, wherein the two sections ofsaid first support arm and the two sections of said second support armeach extend from their respective motor shafts in a direction slightlyupwardly from the horizontal, so that normal bowing in said first andsecond support arms can be tolerated in substantially horizontal planes.

7. The lighting system recited in claim 6, wherein one section of saidfirst support arm associates with said counterweight means; wherein theother section of said first support arm associates with said secondmotor element; wherein one section of said second support arm associateswith said second counterweight means; and wherein the other section ofsaid second support arm associates with said lighting means.

8. The lighting system recited in claim 1, wherein the first and secondmotor elements and said lighting means are remotely controlled by meansof a control panel comprising: a first two-position motor toggle switch,biased in an off position, for controlling the operation of said firstmotor element; a second twoposition motor toggle switch, biased in anoff position, for controlling the operation of said second motorelement; at lease one two-position toggle switch for controlling theoperation of said lighting means; and a dimmer control for varying theintensity of the lighting means.

9. The lighting system recited in claim 8, wherein said first and secondmotor elements are reversible motors; and wherein said first and secondmotor toggle switches control the respective direction of motoroperation.

10. The lighting system recited in claim 8, and further comprising:first and second indicator lamps for indicating the operation of saidfirst and second motor elements.

11. The lighting system recited in claim 1, wherein said first and saidsecond motor elements, in repose, form substantially friction-free hubsabout which the respective first and second support arms can rotate.

12. The lighting system recited in claim 1, wherein the length of saidfirst support arm is greater from the first motor element to the secondmotor element than from the first motor element to said counterweightmeans; and wherein the length of said second support arm is greater fromthe second motor element to the lighting means than from the secondmotor element to said second counterweight means.

13. The lighting system recited in claim 1, and further comprising: stopmeans to limit the rotation of each said first and said second motorshaft to less than 360.

14. The lighting system recited in claim 13, wherein each of said stopmeans 13 comprises a first stop element mounted on one of said supportarms and a second coacting stop element mounted on one of said motorelements.

1. A horizontal, remotely controlled lighting system in which a sourceof illumination can hover over substantially any given region of an areato be illuminated, the lighting system comprising: a first motor elementadapted to be fixedly mounted relative to the area to be illuminated,said first motor element having a fiRst rotable motor shaft; a firstelongated support arm having first and second ends, said first supportarm being mounted on said first motor shaft intermediate its first andsecond ends, for rotation with said first motor shaft, and in asubstantially horizontal plane; a second motor element suspended fromthe first end of said first support arm, said second motor elementhaving a second rotatable motor shaft; a second elongated support armhaving first and second ends, said second support arm being mounted onsaid second motor shaft intermediate its first and second ends, forrotation with said second motor shaft, and in a substantially horizontalplane; lighting means mounted at the first end of said second supportshaft; counterweight means mounted at the second end of said secondsupport arm, weighted and positioned so that said second support arm,said counterweight means and said lighting means are in substantialhorizontal balance about said second motor shaft; second counterweightmeans mounted at the second end of said first support arm, weighted andpositioned so that said first support arm, carrying the associatedsecond motor element, second support arm, second counterweight means andlighting means, is in substantial horizontal balance about said firstmotor shaft; and control means for independently controlling theoperation of said first and second motor elements and thereby therespective rotatable motor shafts, and said lighting means; and whereinthe distance between the first end of said first support arm and thefirst motor shaft is substantially equal to the distance between thefirst end of said second support arm and said second motor shaft.
 2. Thelighting system recited in claim 1, and further comprising: a flexiblesupport element intermediate said second motor element and the first endof said first support arm, for suspending said second motor shaft in asubstantially vertical orientation.
 3. The lighting system recited inclaim 1, and further comprising: a vertical post rigidly extendingupwardly from said second motor element; an aperture in the first end ofsaid first support arm through which said vertical post extends; a pinfor maintaining said vertical post in said aperture; and wherein theoutside diameter of said vertical post is less than the inside diameterof said aperture.
 4. The lighting system as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid first and said second motor elements are equipped with clutch meansfor enabling the respective motor mechanisms to continue operationshould the respective motor shafts become immobilized.
 5. The lightingsystem recited in claim 1, wherein said first support arm is comprisedof two sections extending substantially in a straight line from oppositesides of said first motor shaft; and wherein said second support arm iscomprised of two sections extending substantially in a straight linefrom opposite sides of said second motor shaft.
 6. The lighting systemrecited in claim 5, wherein the two sections of said first support armand the two sections of said second support arm each extend from theirrespective motor shafts in a direction slightly upwardly from thehorizontal, so that normal bowing in said first and second support armscan be tolerated in substantially horizontal planes.
 7. The lightingsystem recited in claim 6, wherein one section of said first support armassociates with said counterweight means; wherein the other section ofsaid first support arm associates with said second motor element;wherein one section of said second support arm associates with saidsecond counterweight means; and wherein the other section of said secondsupport arm associates with said lighting means.
 8. The lighting systemrecited in claim 1, wherein the first and second motor elements and saidlighting means are remotely controlled by means of a control panelcomprising: a first two-position motor toggle switch, biased in an offposition, for controlling the operation of said first motor element; asecond two-position motor toggle switch, biased in an off position, forcontrolling the operation of said second motor element; at lease onetwo-position toggle switch for controlling the operation of saidlighting means; and a dimmer control for varying the intensity of thelighting means.
 9. The lighting system recited in claim 8, wherein saidfirst and second motor elements are reversible motors; and wherein saidfirst and second motor toggle switches control the respective directionof motor operation.
 10. The lighting system recited in claim 8, andfurther comprising: first and second indicator lamps for indicating theoperation of said first and second motor elements.
 11. The lightingsystem recited in claim 1, wherein said first and said second motorelements, in repose, form substantially friction-free hubs about whichthe respective first and second support arms can rotate.
 12. Thelighting system recited in claim 1, wherein the length of said firstsupport arm is greater from the first motor element to the second motorelement than from the first motor element to said counterweight means;and wherein the length of said second support arm is greater from thesecond motor element to the lighting means than from the second motorelement to said second counterweight means.
 13. The lighting systemrecited in claim 1, and further comprising: stop means to limit therotation of each said first and said second motor shaft to less than360*.
 14. The lighting system recited in claim 13, wherein each of saidstop means 13 comprises a first stop element mounted on one of saidsupport arms and a second coacting stop element mounted on one of saidmotor elements.